How Would You Spend Your Tax Dollars: Day Four

How Would You Spend Your Tax Dollars: Day 4

Health Care Not Warfare! 

African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans are roughly twice as likely to be uninsured as the rest of the population. Studies have shown that access to care is a significant factor in health outcomes. Offering insurance through a health insurance exchange and providing premium assistance to those who can’t afford it would reduce disparities in accessing high‐quality health care. (Source: League of Women Voters Raleigh Chapter.)

In December 2011, the NC Justice Center released a report outlining work-family protection policies that would benefit North Carolina workers, particularly low-income workers. What did they find? “Paid sick days, family leave insurance, workplace flexibility, and protection from caregiver discrimination are realistic and overdue policies. Providing protection for workers’ wages and jobs when illness or caregiving demands arise is the right solution for North Carolina’s workers, for employers, for public health, and for the state’s economy.” Read the entire report.

“I am 35 years old, self-employed and a life-long resident of North Carolina. I pay taxes every year. I have not had health insurance for almost 10 years. I have lots of health issues, including mental illness, polycystic ovarian disorder, and two breast cancer scares. My illnesses prevent me from working a regular job; that’s a major reason why I’m self-employed. At times when I have inquired about purchasing health insurance, I was once told it would cost about $1500 per month, which exceeds my monthly income.  Another time, I was denied altogether because of my polycystic ovarian disorder. Women’s health issues can make or break your opportunities to get health care. 

“Whether you’re a Democrat or Republican, despite government rhetoric, it’s obvious what our country puts its money behind. The US clearly values war over investing in health insurance to insure someone like me, who pays a lot of taxes but I definitely don’t see this come back in terms of health care. When I don’t have money, I can’t go to the doctor, and that’s more often than it should be.” – Kali Ferguson, Charlotte, NC

Take Action!

Contact your NC Senate and House Representatives to let them know you support the above outlined common-sense policies in our state. Using your 9-digit zip code, you can find your NC Senate and House Representatives (use the "Who represents me?" box at the bottom of the gray column at extreme right-side of page). If you do not know your 9-digit zip code, you can look it up first and then proceed to the "Who represents me?"